Pre-Race
I drove up the day before with the intent of picking up my packet, biking 30 minutes, running 15 minutes, swimming 15 minutes, and having dinner at the event banquet. I expected to chill and relax the rest of the day. Ha! I never had a dull moment. I got there right about lunch time. The hotel was not checking people in yet, so I parked, secured the bike, and headed to registration. World's Fair Park, the setting for event was at the base of the hotel on the opposite side from where I had parked and entered the building. But, there was another event in the part of the park into which I entered from the hotel. After wandering around seemingly aimless for a few minutes, I finally asked one of the vendors at the setting in which I was wandering if the event had anything to do with a triathlon. She directed me to another part of the park.
Having located registration, I painlessly registered. The swim practice time was about to expire, so I immediately grabbed my wet suit and headed for the water. I got my planned 15 minute swim in just in time and it was 2:00. I tried to find the expo as I realized I needed a light jacket for the ride in the morning. I had failed to note the weather before leaving home. It was now predicted to be cooler than it was when I checked the forecast a few days earlier. I needed to get a 30 minute ride in so I looked up nearby bike shops. If found Tennessee Valley Bicycles. They were super friendly and sold me a light, solid black jacket. It would do. I now just keep it in my "Tri bag", a bag I reserve just for races.
Swim done, ride done, time to run for 15 minutes. Done. Checked in to the hotel, carted all my stuff to my room and applied the various stickers to the bike as required. Off to transition to park the bike. The afternoon is spent and it is time to get ready for dinner.
While standing in the food line, I contemplated where to sit for dinner: a empty table, a nearly full table, or a table with a sole occupant. I chose the latter. I met Dave Miller from Maryland. He was there for the championship race for the 50-54 age group. A few other folks joined us and we talked triathlon to include some younger person's comment "I wonder what is the average BMI in here." We do like to find ways to make ourselves feel superior. Ha! The dinner was good and Rev3 put on a good presentation including speeches by 2 pros. This is the last year for pros in Rev3. Yet, all handled it professionally. The pros were introduced with appropriate reverence and they showed appreciation and regard despite acknowledging this was their last time as pros at this event.
A little shopping for yogurt, banana, and a clif bar for breakfast. Time to sleep. I readied all the rest of my equipment and put on the race tats. BED, ahhhh.....
P.S. The course was described as challenging!
Having located registration, I painlessly registered. The swim practice time was about to expire, so I immediately grabbed my wet suit and headed for the water. I got my planned 15 minute swim in just in time and it was 2:00. I tried to find the expo as I realized I needed a light jacket for the ride in the morning. I had failed to note the weather before leaving home. It was now predicted to be cooler than it was when I checked the forecast a few days earlier. I needed to get a 30 minute ride in so I looked up nearby bike shops. If found Tennessee Valley Bicycles. They were super friendly and sold me a light, solid black jacket. It would do. I now just keep it in my "Tri bag", a bag I reserve just for races.
Swim done, ride done, time to run for 15 minutes. Done. Checked in to the hotel, carted all my stuff to my room and applied the various stickers to the bike as required. Off to transition to park the bike. The afternoon is spent and it is time to get ready for dinner.
While standing in the food line, I contemplated where to sit for dinner: a empty table, a nearly full table, or a table with a sole occupant. I chose the latter. I met Dave Miller from Maryland. He was there for the championship race for the 50-54 age group. A few other folks joined us and we talked triathlon to include some younger person's comment "I wonder what is the average BMI in here." We do like to find ways to make ourselves feel superior. Ha! The dinner was good and Rev3 put on a good presentation including speeches by 2 pros. This is the last year for pros in Rev3. Yet, all handled it professionally. The pros were introduced with appropriate reverence and they showed appreciation and regard despite acknowledging this was their last time as pros at this event.
A little shopping for yogurt, banana, and a clif bar for breakfast. Time to sleep. I readied all the rest of my equipment and put on the race tats. BED, ahhhh.....
P.S. The course was described as challenging!
The Race
Up at 5:00. Coffee and ate the yogurt, banana, and clif bar. On with the one piece tri-kit from Vulcan Triathletes, grab the gear and off to transition. Pumped the tires, set up the bike and running gear, grabbed what I needed for the swim and off to the dock. I chummed up with several fellows in my swim wave, especially Kevin Hall. It was sort of like kids on a playground making instant friends that dissolve nearly as fast as they form when play ends and parents take you home. I would see David and Kevin later in the day. Kevin passed me on the run and wished me well. I saw David after the race and we ate lunch together and reminisced on what we had just done. The swim went smooth. The bike lived up to the description, it was challenging as you can see in the following elevation chart of the course:
But, the bike performed flawlessly and I enjoyed the ride. The run was steady, but I did have to hit a porta potty.
The Results
More detail online   May 18, 2014: Rev3 Triathlon OlympicTime: 3:14:22 | ||
|---|---|---|
a
 | Swim | Distance: 0.93 Miles Time: 34:25 |
| Transition | Time: 3:47 | |
| Cycle | Distance: 25 Miles Time: 1:30:56 Rate: 16.5 | |
| Transition | Time: 2:12 | |
| Run | Distance: 6.2 Miles Time: 1:03:02 Pace: 10:10 | |
| Weather | Generally Clear Temperature: 54-58° Humidity: 89-67% | |
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